Fence-post



(No Model.)

W. A. PRATER.

FENCE POST.

Patented Jan. 8, 1889.

NITED VILLIAM A. PRATER, OF PAIV' PAIV, MICHIGAN.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,995, dated January 8, 1889. I Application filed October 11, 1888. Serial No.28'7,815. (N0 model.)

To aZZ 1071/0777. it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. PRATER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paw Paw, in the county of Van Enron and State of lllichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of my improved post; Fig. 2, a vertical sectional view of the base of the post; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the upper cap-plate; Fig. i, a vertical sectional view of the same.

The object of the invention is to produce a very simple, inexpensive, and durable base for fence-posts, hitching-posts, &c.; and it consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, that will be fully hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims appended.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A designates the post proper, which is preferably constructed of gas-piping or other strong metallic tubular material. The post may be p rovided with metallic clips or fasteners a, for the attachment of the fence-wires,and its upper end may be covered or plugged with a cap or plug, t).

The letter]; designates a cylindrical b urncd clay or terra-cotta tile, which has its upper outer edge beveled, as at c. A vertical screwthreaded bolt, 0, passes up centrally through this tile and through a central apertln-e in a bottom cap, I), the square headd of the bolt being recessed into the under side of the said cap I). The plate I) is provided with a circular enlargement, c, on its upperside, which fits into the bottom of the tile. The bottom cap may also be provided with an annular lateral extension or flange, D, as shown in Fig. 2, which will serve to morefirmly anchor the post-in the ground and keep it in a vertical position. The upper screw-threaded end of the central bolt, U, is passed through a metallic cap-plate, E, and tapped into the lower end of the tubular post A, by which means the tile, cap-plate, bolt, and post are all firmly and solidly drawn and held together. The cap E is provided with an overhanging annular flange, f, the interior of which is beveled, as at c, correspondingly to the bevel upon the upper end of the tile against which it bears. In this way the mere actof drawing the parts together by means of the bolt will serve to center the tile and bring it to and keep it in a perfectly vertical position. The central aperture through the cap E may be provided with screw-threads also, and the cap screwed down upon the bolt, as shown in Fig. 2. This will serve to bind the parts still morefirmly and closer together. In this case the central enlargement, g, formed upon the upper side of the metallic cap E maybe made square, as shown in Fig. 1, for the application of a wrench or other tool. The enlargement g is recessed for the reception of the lower end of the tubular post A. Thus rccessing the lower end of the post into the enlargement g on the cap serves to assist the bolt (1 in holding the post firmly in an upright position. Should this not be sui'ticient to render the post firm, however, it is evident that the upper end of the bolt may be extemled up farther into the post than is shown.

Having thus fully desmibod my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Lot to rs Patent, i s

1. The combination of a cylindrical. tile, a bottom cap-plate therefor, an upper flanged cap-plate for the tile, provided with acentral passage and an enlargement, 9, upon its upper surface, this enlargement being recessed, a central sem'iring-bolt passed up centrally thrmlgh the cap-plates and tile, and a metallic tubular post screwed upon the upper projectingcml of the said bolt, and having its lower end fitted in the recess in the upper end of the said enlargement g, substantially as described.

2. The combinatimi of the cylindrical tile ll, having its upper outer edge beveled, as at c, a centrally-perforai ed metallic bottom cap, I), fitted over the lower end of the tile and provided with the upper circular enlarge ment, e, and the lateral annular flange D, the upper centrally-pcrforated cap, E, fitted over the upper beveled end. of the tile and provided with an overhanging beveled flange, f,

and an enlargement, g, :1 seeui-ing lioli;passed l In testimony whereof I. ailfix my signature up centrally through the caps and tile, and a in prose/nee of two witnesses.

hollow meiz lllc pest e, iappe l upon the up VI-{LIAM A PRATER per Dl'OJCGilllg and 0i ilie Saul securing-bolt, and fitting; in a recess in the upper end of the i \V il nesses:

sniil enlargement g, F411l)Sl3&111tl21ll:lH mill for 5 R. M. BUCK, the purposes herein speeifiedl JAMES A. CLARK. 

